Turkey will suspend research for oil and gas exploration in disputed waters in the Eastern Mediterranean that abruptly raised military tensions with neighbouring Greece, a top Turkish official said Tuesday.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan told his aides to “be constructive and put this on hold for some time,” presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin told Turkish broadcaster CNN Turk.
Last week, Turkey announced plans to dispatch research vessel Oruc Reis and two support ships to carry out operations through Aug. 2 south of the Greek islands of Rhodes, Karpathos and Kastellorizo. The declaration angered Greece and prompted criticism by the United States, France and other European countries.
In this photo taken Monday, July 27, 2020, Turkey’s research vessel, Oruc Reis, anchored off the coast of Antalya on the Mediterranean, Turkey. (AP Photo/Burhan Ozbilici)
NATO allies Greece and Turkey are at odds over drilling rights in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Turkey has accused Greece of trying to exclude it from the benefits of potential oil and gas finds in the Aegean Sea and Eastern Mediterranean, arguing that sea boundaries for commercial exploitation should be divided between the Greek and Turkish mainlands and not include the Greek islands on an equal basis. Athens counters that Turkey’s position is a violation of international law.
“Everyone should continue working on their own continental shelves and conduct joint work in contested areas,” Kalin said. He also said that bilateral issues with Greece should be solved through dialogue rather than through threats on Turkey’s bid for European Union membership.
On Monday, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Turkey was withdrawing navy vessels from the area, adding that Athens remained ready to enter negotiations with Turkey “within the framework of international law and good neighbourly relations.”
Greek Australian football player George Timotheou experienced more in the past year than many would in a lifetime. From playing for Schalke FC in one of the top five leagues in the world, to undergoing a life changing heart surgery, topped off with becoming a father in only two months time.
Describing the past year as a “massive rollercoaster”, George Timotheou reveals to The Greek Herald how he has gained a new perspective on his life.
“With COVID-19, the bushfires, my playing career and not playing so much in Belgium. Then off the back of a Bundesliga debut, being with the national team and finding out you’re going to be a dad,” Timotheou says to The Greek Herald.
“It’s been a massive rollercoaster but one now of immense
joy because I can go back to doing what I love.”
While his heart beats strong for football, last year it beat with only three quarters of power. George Timotheou was born with a bicuspid valve. A heart condition that while rare, many people can go their entire lives without noticing.
Undergoing a medical check before joining Sydney FC at 17 years old, he discovered he had an irregular structural issue with his heart. Yet, the football player didn’t think much of it.
From Bundesliga debut to heart surgery. How the past year changed George Timotheou’s life forever. Photo: Supplied
Only playing with Sydney FC for a year, Timotheou set out for more play time, joining the NPL with Belmore side Sydney Olympic FC.
Being born in Canberra to a Cypriot father, and his mother’s family hailing from Thessaloniki, he was excited to play for the club, recognising his Greek heritage as playing a “big part” of his life. Yet, even before arriving at Sydney Olympic, he was in talks for his big move overseas.
“They told me when I signed that it was in their plan to
send me overseas,” Timotheou says.
“It wasn’t until 1-2 months before I left that I knew I’d be trialling at Schalke and get to train with the under-23’s team.”
George joined the German club seeking a new adventure, chasing his European football dream to play for a side in Europe’s top 5 leagues. Yet life in Germany wasn’t just eating bratwursts and drinking Pilsner at the pub.
“When I was there in the second week, I was put in German
classes and by the time I had left, when I’d come back for my holidays after my
debut, I was essentially speaking fluent German.
Dylan Macallister of Manly United and George Timotheou of Sydney Olympic on August 19, 2017 in Sydney, Australia. Photo: Getty Images AsiaPac
“The culture is also definitely different to what I’m used
to and to what a lot of Aussies wouldn’t be used to, but it was definitely an
eye opener.”
Much like Socceroos who had entered the Bundesliga arena before
him, namely Matthew Leckie and Mitchell Langerak, settling into the German way
of life was no easy task. Yet, with a clear task in mind, the Greek-Australian
let his feet do the talking.
“From day one I went, I wouldn’t say with no expectations,
but I just went with an open mind and an outside perspective that I’m here to
do a job I’m not here on a holiday.
“I’m here to play football, I’m here to chase my dreams.”
Having a successful pre-season with the under-23’s, he
cemented his starting spot in the reserve squad. Yet it only took six games for
the manager to realise that he was training with the wrong team.
“Two days after, I was called into first team training. I
was the first one in that group, in the under-23s team, to be called up.
“Like I said I didn’t have expectations, I didn’t go there
saying ‘I’m gonna be training with the first team after six weeks’.
George spent only 6 games with the under-23’s side before moving up to train with the first team. Photo: Supplied.
“I just put my head down every session and did extra, tried
to learn German best as I could in the first couple of weeks, and I just wanted
to make a statement in the reserves and I guess that takes a lot of people’s
attention and I guess that’s why I got my chance.”
Seeking more game time, Timotheou left Schalke for Belgian club
Zulte-Waregem in July last year. However, also struggling for game time at the new
Belgian club, he sought a move across the country back to the A-League.
Under a compulsory medical examination, Timotheou found out
life-changing news about his bicuspid valve.
“It got to a point where it was leaking and regurgitating.
It was basically making my heart bigger than what it should be, at a dangerous
level where you’re at risk of a heart attack,” Timotheou said.
With it being only a structural problem, Timotheou was somehow relaxed and unfazed about the upcoming surgery. However, undergoing the surgery in March, he was amazed to see his heart go from operating at three quarters of a tank, to the heart of a horse.
“Now, basically that I have a new heart and new valve, I’m operating at full capacity.
“I’m just working towards getting back to full fitness. It’s
very exciting because now I’m obviously at a better place than what I had been
my whole career.”
Being cleared for training only three weeks ago, Timotheou
is back on his dream football path. Yet, with a new fan on the way, his
football career may be taking an alternate route.
“With my girlfriend just under 2 months before giving birth,
it’s a bit of a lifestyle change,” Timotheou said admittedly.
“I think that’s what this whole thing has made me realise
is, it’s not just me anymore. I have a son on the way so I have to think about
him and obviously my girlfriend.
“Not so much put my dreams aside but they’re on halt for a
second, in the back on your mind until the time presents itself.”
People in the Northen Territory were treated to Greek music, food and dance over the weekend during a special Greek festival held in honour of Agios Panteleimon.
More than 10,000 people visited the festival throughout the day, after the NT Department of Health accepted a COVID-19 safety plan submitted by the festival organisers.
NT Chief Minister, Michael Gunner, and Lauren Moss MP both attended the festival. Photo: Facebook.
The Greek festival was held in honour of Agios Panteleimon. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography.
“Our Kalymnian Brotherhood, who have a monastery built in honour of Agios Panteleimon, haven’t celebrated this event in many years,” President of the Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia, Nicholas Poniris, tells The Greek Herald exclusively.
“So we created the Greek festival to deliver an event to the greater community of Darwin & Regional NT, showcasing Greek culture through costumes, music, dance and food.
Greek food was a hit with locals. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography.
Greek dancing performances were also on display. Photo: Georgia Politis Photography.
“Our staff and volunteers were also briefed on the COVID-19 plan and were vigilant to ensure there were no breaches.”
Interactive games and rides were set up for visitors at affordable prices, while local dance groups and bands performed throughout the day and evening.
Delicious and mouth-watering food was also provided by the Greek Orthodox Community of North Australia, the Kalymnian Brotherhood Darwin and the Cyprus Community.
Live now come and dance with us at the Greek Festival Bill Opa Catis
Fronditha Care, a not-for-profit aged care provider caring predominantly for Greeks across Melbourne, is currently in a heightened state of vigilance after a staff member from its residential aged care facility in St Albans (THALPORI) tested positive to COVID-19 on Wednesday, 22 July, 2020.
After receiving the positive test result, Fronditha Care enacted its outbreak management plan.
The COVID-19 positive staff member last worked on July 20 and wore a mask for the duration of their shift. Staff members who worked with the affected staff member on July 20 were immediately stood down and all residents were isolated and closely monitored for any symptoms.
At all times the resident’s needs, choices and preferences are considered first and we continue to work hard to maintain high quality care.
COVID-19 Testing:
With the support of Department of Health and Human Services the Public Health Unit (PHU) was on site at THALPORI on Saturday and tested all our staff and residents. The above information was shared with all resident representatives and other stakeholders.
The current situation is as follows:
59 residents tested negative and 1 tested positive. Please note the resident who tested positive was transferred to hospital for further monitoring.
65 staff tested negative and 1 result still pending.
As a result, we are continuing with our outbreak management processes which include the full lockdown of the THALPORI facility and ongoing testing of residents and staff.
Our
dedicated staff at THALPORI are continuing to communicate with residents and
their representatives as necessary to keep them informed and we appreciate
their cooperation and understanding during this time.
Families are encouraged to stay connected with their family members through the communication options available. Additional devices have been purchased to meet this demand. We have also increased staffing levels to assist with this communication and to ensure our residents have increased support.
Infection Control Procedures & Personal Protective Equipment (PPE):
We continue to follow strict infection control
procedures in line with our policies and as guided by the DHHS and the PHU.
Deep cleaning is being done on an ongoing basis.
Residents are isolated in their rooms.
Appropriate waste malmanagement for infectious waste.
Appropriate PPE.
Doffing and Donning designated areas.
All staff wearing PPE.
Our PPE stocks have been boosted by our approved
suppliers in addition with supplies provided by the DHHS.
COVID-19 Testing Mandatory for Staff:
On Monday, July 27, Fronditha Care implemented an organisation-wide policy requiring COVID-19 testing for all residential aged care staff, whilst Victoria is under the current State of Emergency enacted by the Victorian Health Minister until August 16. Mobile COVID-19 testing units will visit Fronditha Care sites in Clayton, Thornbury, Templestowe and Newcastle to undertake this.
Staff Working From Only One Site:
From Monday, July 27, to reduce the chances of aged care employees working across different employers and potentially picking up the virus and carrying it to other aged care workplaces, the Commonwealth Government requires aged care workers only work at one site; this directive is to be implemented as soon as possible and will initially be for a fixed term of 8 weeks from Monday 27/7/2020 until 25/9/2020.
Fronditha
Care implemented this policy on 27/7/2020 and has communicated this to all its
staff.
CEO, Michael Malakonas, stated, “I want to thank
all of you who have shown my staff an incredible amount of support since the
onset of the pandemic. Your feedback and support at this time is both
encouraged and appreciated. The current
period is a fluid one with rules and regulations changing in response to the
spread of COVID-19 in the community. We understand many of you have questions
and we encourage you to speak to us and let us know what your concerns are and
how we can work together to keep our elders, aged care workers and our broader
community safe. We are all in this together.”
The Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (HACCI) of Victoria, was established in 1974 with the vision to connect and inspire the Hellenic Australian business and professional community to lead, collaborate and excel.
Nominations are now open for the HACCI Awards, which are held every year to recognise excellence within the Greek Australian community.
HACCI are accepting nomination entries for any of the following categories:
Bank of Sydney Business Award.
Professional Services Award.
Community Service Award.
Sport Award.
Woman of Influence Award.
Innovation Award.
Spiro Stamoulis Lifetime Achievement Award.
Chris Saristavros Young Achiever Award.
Nominations close by 5pm on 15 September 2020. The judging panel will be in contact to request further material and information from shortlisted nominees.
Now in its 44th year, this year’s Awards will be broadcast live online due to COVID-19 restrictions.
You can find the nomination application form here.
Etihad will offer refunds to all consumers who purchased airfares in Australia which were consequently cancelled due to COVID-19.
The airline will contact consumers who booked directly with the airline as well as Australian-based travel agents to inform customers they can elect to receive a refund for a cancelled flight even if they had previously accepted a “flight credit.”
The change comes as the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) raised concerns about the airlines rebooking policy.
The ACCC has welcomed Etihad’s recent decision to offer refunds to all consumers who purchased Etihad tickets in Australia which were then cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, even if they previously accepted a flight credit. https://t.co/w5LbQudfu5pic.twitter.com/2ddN1SKpPp
From March 26 to June 3, Etihad’s COVID-19 rebooking policy did not provide customers with the right to a refund if their flight was cancelled due to pandemic restrictions.
This policy was updated on June 3 to include flights departing from Australia.
Etihad’s conditions of carriage now state that a consumer can elect to receive a refund in the event that Etihad fails to operate their flight reasonably according to schedule, for any reason.
ACCC Chair Rod Sims said the move by Etihad to contact affected customers was one that other airlines should follow.
“We are pleased that Etihad is fulfilling its obligations under its conditions of carriage by offering refunds to thousands of Australian customers with cancelled flights,” said Mr Sims.
“Etihad’s revised policy, and its decision to also offer refunds to consumers who weren’t previously advised of their right to a refund, should serve as a model for other airlines.”
Turkey has reduced the number of navy vessels in an area of the East Mediterranean where it disputes Greek jurisdiction over oil and gas drilling rights, Greek authorities said Monday.
Tensions in the long-standing dispute flared last week between the two NATO allies when Turkey announced it planned to send a research vessel south of the Greek islands of Rhodes, Karpathos, and Kastellorizo.
The initiative was publicly criticised by the United States, France and other European countries, and the Turkish research vessel, the Oruc Reis, has remained anchored off the southeast Turkish port of Antalya.
Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas said Monday that Turkey was withdrawing navy vessels from the area, adding that Athens remained ready to enter negotiations with Turkey “within the framework of international law and good neighborly relations.”
Turkey accuses Greece of trying to exclude it from fair mineral exploitation in the East Mediterranean, arguing that Greek islands should not be included in calculating exclusive economic zones. Athens counters that Turkey’s position is a violation of international law.
Turkey says the research mission plan will remain in effect through Aug. 2.
The aged care regulator has threatened to revoke the licence of the facility at St Basils Home for the Aged in Fawkner, as the facility is at the centre of one of Victoria’s largest COVID-19 clusters.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has issued St Basil’s Fawkner with a Notice to Agree, citing concerns about the serious impact of the outbreak on the residents and staff, and the aged care centre’s handling of it.
Under the notice, the home in Fawkner must not admit any new residents until it can demonstrate to the Commission’s satisfaction the “serious risk” to residents has been effectively addressed.
Health authorities try to get the coronavirus outbreak under control in St Basil’s Fawkner.
It must also appoint an independent adviser until St Basil’s Fawkner is declared free of all positive cases of COVID-19 and is declared safe by the Victorian Government’s Public Health Unit.
At the home, nine residents have already died and coronavirus cases linked to the facility jumped from 78 to 84 on Monday, making it Victoria’s largest aged care outbreak.
This morning, Victorian health authorities said a total of 79 residents have been moved from the home, while around 36 residents have stayed.
Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt told ABC News Breakfast the staff at the facility were being led by an experienced nurse.
“Our role is to make sure that those remaining residents are safe, and the advice that I had as of late last night and early this morning is that the conditions are stable,” Mr Hunt said.
Notices from the aged care regular have also been issued to Menarock Essendon Aged Care and Estia Health in Heidelberg, where outbreaks including more than 50 people have occurred.
Mahmut Dramali Pasha was the leader of the Ottoman military campaign known as ‘The Expedition of Dramali,’ which took place during the Greek War of Independence in the summer of 1822. The campaign was a large scale effort by the Ottomans to quell the ongoing Greek rebellion.
But on this day in 1822, the campaign failed as Dramali’s army was defeated at the Battle of Dervenaki by a Greek army led by Theodoros Kolokotronis, Dimitrios Ypsilantis, Papaflessas and Nikitaras.
We take a look back at the history of this momentous event.
Background:
By the summer of 1822, the Ottomans were preparing to move southwards and crush the Greek uprising. They assembled an army of some 20,000 men and 8,000 cavalry with ample supplied and transportation at Larissa, which was entrusted to Dramalis.
Dramali and his army were defeated in the Battle of Dervenaki on July 28, 1822.
Dramali was later appointed govenor of the Peloponnese with the rank of vizier, and undertook to form a military corps that would suppress the Greek Revolution.
Start of the campaign and retaking of Corinth:
In early July, Dramali set out from Zitouni (today Lamia) and found initial success. The Greeks, who were unprepared, left Dramali’s army largely unassailed and by July 17, Dramalis had retaken Corinth, which had been abandoned by its defenders.
At Corinth, Dramali held a military council to decide on future actions. Emboldened by the rapid progress and disintegration of the Greeks at the beginning of his campaign, Dramali decided to march his entire army towards Nafplio.
Trapped in the Argos:
Dramali and his army passed through the narrow gorge of Dervenaki and on 24 July reached Argos, where the Greek government had fled. Dramali left no guards behind him in the Dervenaki and he posted no forces where other gorges exposed his flanks.
“Expedition of Mahmud Dramali Pasha at Argos” by Alexandros Isaias.
On arriving in Argos, he found that its citadel, Larissa, was manned and that the Ottoman fleet, with which he had planned to rendezvous with at Nafplion, was actually at Patras. Instead, he launched an attack on the citadel.
The Greeks, under Demetrios Ypsilantis, held out for twelve days, waging a resolute defense before lack of water forced them to sneak out past the Ottoman lines in the middle of the night.
By this point, Dramali’s army had no more cattle, the burned grain fields supplied no subsistence, and the summer of 1822 was an especially hot summer, making water a scarce commodity.The plain south of Argos was a land of ditches, interconnected water lanes and vineyards, which hindered the Ottoman cavalry.
This gave the Greeks time to rally their forces.
Military leaders like Theodoros Kolokotronis and Petrobey Mavromichalis called for volunteers, who came flocking in, along with the kapetanei and the primates.
Kolokotronis pursued a scorched earth policy, aiming at starving the Ottomans out. The Greeks looted the villages, burned the grain and foodstuff they could not move, and damaged the wells and springs.
Dramali’s army was trapped in the sweltering Argolic plain at the same time as Greek troops surrounded them from all sides. On the hills extending from Lerna to the Dervenaki, Kolokotronis had 8,000 men. Around Agionori there were 2,000 troops under Ypsilantis, Nikitaras and Papaflessas.
Greek victory:
On July 26, Dramali dispatched an advance guard consisting of 1,000 Muslim Albanians to occupy the passes.The Greeks brought down devastating fire and then charged, slaying the Ottomans in vicious hand-to-hand fighting.Very few of the Ottoman light cavalry managed to escape.
On July 28, Dramali attempted to evacuate his main forces by way of the route through Agionori.Here he came up against the Greeks under Papaflessas who was holding the main defile (Klisoura).
Dramali’s campaign resulted in a disaster of great magnitude.
Unable to proceed, he soon found himself assailed by Nikitaras and Ypsilantis who made a forced march from their positions at the village of Agios Vasilis and at Agios Sostis, where the Greeks again annihilated the Ottomans by ambushing them in a narrow defile.
Although Dramali himself with the main troop of delhis managed to force his way through and finally reach Korinthos, the Greeks captured all the baggage and the military chest, and they annihilated almost completely the unmounted personnel of Dramali’s army.
Dramali’s campaign resulted in a disaster of great magnitude: Out of the army of more than 23,000 with which he entered the Morea, barely 6,000 had survived.
The extent of the Ottoman defeat became proverbial in Greece, where a great defeat is still referred to as a “καταστροφή του Δράμαλη”, i.e. “Dramali’s disaster.”
Last night, a joint Four Corners investigation with The Age and Sydney Morning Herald, found workers compensation schemes in NSW and Victoria are losing hundreds of millions of dollars a year in what has been described as “immoral and unethical practices” by an industry ombudsman.
Single mother of two, Chris Iliopoulos, was a victim of the Victorian scheme, with her lawyers saying it left her ‘broken.’
In 2012, Ms Iliopoulos was working in a homewares store when she hurt her back moving furniture. Even in excruciating pain, she had to battle for the insurer to approve her treatment.
“All they kept saying to me was ‘you have to wait. You have to wait until we get the okay.’ I’m not asking for a diamond ring or a new car. I’m asking for treatment,” Ms Iliopoulos told Four Corners.
Chris Iliopoulos and her daughter Cleo Gutszmit. Photo: The Age.
Her lawyer, Bree Knoester, managing partner at Adviceline Lawyers, said the insurance company fought her every step of the way.
“It was getting to the point where Chris’ treating doctors… who were recommending treatment, were being ignored by the insurance company managing Chris’ claim,” Ms Knoester said.
“Each time a treating practitioner provided a report, the insurance company got an independent medical report to say the contrary.”
In Victoria, the workers compensation scheme WorkSafe recorded a loss of $823 million last financial year. But there is still money to be made for insurance agents who can meet key performance targets.
Single mother Chris Iliopoulos was injured at work while moving furniture. Her lawyer says she was broken by the workers' compensation system. Read more: https://ab.co/303zZGl.
One of the targets is to have workers out of the system or back to work by 130 weeks. That was the moment Ms Iliopoulos’ payments were terminated, even though her treating doctors said she was not well enough to go back to work.
For Ms Iliopoulos, the news was too much. She attempted suicide.
“It wore me down to the point where I became somebody else. I didn’t recognise myself and my thought process was totally different,” Ms Iliopoulos said.
“Her doctors were not being believed. And I think she felt entirely overwhelmed that she was at the mercy of an insurance company who would make decisions contrary to her wellbeing at almost every turn,” her lawyer added.
Ms Iliopoulos challenged the decision to cut her payments. An external medical panel found she was not capable of work and her payments were reinstated.
She eventually accepted a settlement from the insurer and said she’s happy to speak out now to expose the system.
“Who’s going to be held accountable for this you know? If I don’t speak out now, who’s going to say ‘hey you’re doing the wrong thing and people are suffering because of it?’
